Social Change In DSM

Change in DSM In 1973 a historic advance in social justice took place and homosexuality was removed as a mental disorder from the DSM. The APA then acknowledged that not only was homosexuality not a mental illness, but there was a need for revision in the practice guidelines and ethical standards pertaining to sexual orientation. The APA recognized that mental health practitioners would need to go about offering services to people who identify as gay, lesbian, and bisexual in a very different way than they once had. However, despite the social movement, APA’s realization of the necessity for new standards, and the removal of homosexuality from the DSM, it has proven to be a difficult task for the mental health field to reeducate and train …show more content…
Many mental health professionals are finding it hard to have therapeutic relationships with gay, lesbian, and bisexual clients due to conflicting religious beliefs and personal opinions on sexuality. This is making it hard for many practitioners to adequately and effectively assist gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals in developing their identities, forming and maintaining positive relationships, and tackling major life obstacles. To address this dilemma and move past the oppressive views on homosexuality it is vitally important that mental health professionals receive specific education on working with gay, lesbian, and bisexual clients, as well as, learn to conduct affirmative mental health practices. By doing so, practitioners will be better equipped to guide and support gay, lesbian, and bisexual …show more content…
Counselors are required to be up-to-date on APA Ethical Principle which state that counselors must “maintain knowledge of relevant scientific and professional information related to the services they render, and recognize the need for ongoing education (Tam, 1997).” With this being said, it is necessary for those who practice therapies such as conversion therapy to have much insight into the effectiveness/lack of effectiveness, risk factors, and stated guidelines related to specific treatments being utilized. By being informed about new findings and having the awareness that homosexuality is no longer considered a mental disorder, it is important that practitioners do not treat homosexuality as a negative, and therefore, unacceptable, undesirable, and unfulfilling way of life that must be altered. Regardless of the counselors’ personal opinions and perceptions of homosexuality they are obligated to be aware of counter transference issues and make it a point to not project their own conviction upon clients. Such a stance affirming the need to convert gay, lesbian, and bisexual clients to heterosexual orientation using risky measures is no longer backed by the mental health field and is not considered to be within standard practice. In this regard, counselors must allow